I would recommend processing: http://www.processing.org/
It's been described as "Java with training wheels" but I think its strength is that it demonstrates programming concepts in a visual way. A person can have a nifty animation up and running in no time.
It's a very short hop from Processing to Java.
I would also recommend ActionScript. It's finicky but it will give a newbie cool results quickly, and then they're hooked.
Personally, I like the handheld camera approach to BSG. It makes the whole show feel more candid and immediate. Also, their decision to do "handheld" CGI space battles is a stroke of genius. It makes all of the CGI feel a lot more realistic than it deserves and it cuts better with the rest of the show.
I'm definitely excited about a second season of this innovative series.
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I would recommend processing: http://www.processing.org/ It's been described as "Java with training wheels" but I think its strength is that it demonstrates programming concepts in a visual way. A person can have a nifty animation up and running in no time. It's a very short hop from Processing to Java. I would also recommend ActionScript. It's finicky but it will give a newbie cool results quickly, and then they're hooked.
Personally, I like the handheld camera approach to BSG. It makes the whole show feel more candid and immediate. Also, their decision to do "handheld" CGI space battles is a stroke of genius. It makes all of the CGI feel a lot more realistic than it deserves and it cuts better with the rest of the show. I'm definitely excited about a second season of this innovative series.