Lost Video Island

[-x- Angelic -x-]

I have seen some amazing vids all made my this programe and wn ever i try to make a vid it never seems to turn out right. So if anyone can help and tell me the easiest way to do the following

1. Easing in and out...
Simple i know. Its so easy on WMM bt for some reason i can master it with vegas

2. Flashes over a clip.
Looks as though using a flshing/disolving transition but with out the clip actually chnaging...

Those are only 2 examples i can think of right now lol. But any general good effects tips would be apreciated. I'm sure there are tutorials for this sort of thing but i cant find any

Thank you !!