Biting off more than I can chew. BRAND NEW TO FCP

This may just be way out of my league...i've never used final cut pro 6 (the version I just acquired). I'm a grad student in the Army, via Baylor university and we are doing a marketing video project. Essentially my group thinks that being able to create floating/3D text should be easy for me to figure out.
So here is the scoop:
1. Theme: based off of the movie Zombieland...need to know how to make text that way and make it move. can also access Maya if necessary, but i've never used it either.
2. I don't even know how to make an introduction/movie title. My group also has a vision that includes still photos downsizing themselves to become part of a collage..where perhaps the pictures can form a word or vice versa. Does that even make sense?

So...I'm usually a quick learner and am decent with technology but I've never touched the realm of videos and editing. Does anyone think this is possible? Should I use FCP or start with iMovie for simplicity reasons. I assumed I wouldn't be able to do these types of edits with iMovie.

So if anyone is willing to take on the challenge of helping a newbie, I'd be more than grateful! And honest opinions are always appreciated! kindergarten instructions are welcome!