Very Basic Advice Please

I generally create architectural MOCs but want to step up my builds by adding motion. I've done a few Google searches to find what I'm looking for, to no avail. My current project is an outdoor scene comprised of several small dioramas. Here are the three things I want to achieve using hand cranks: Two hot air balloons rising and lowering at different heights and different rates of speed. Three minifig musicians -- all at the same rate, doing half turns one way, then half turns back, sort...