one advice from newbie to newbie. dont push yourself too hard. what you describe is a real complex thing - even if it sounds so easy. it is not. at least not for a newbie. having a bullet in hand and letting it drop (as part of what you want to create) will be a good start. there is a lot tweaking needed if you want it look realistic. it is not as easy as it sounds - and if you want to even throw it it gets even more complicated. my idea i would have is to make the bullet somehow a rigid body and let the falling calculate by maya. but then i dont know how to key or throw it before it collides with your friend (or the floor if you did not hit )