The brass section... please help me!

Hello all! I'm writing for full orchestra and I need some help. I always hear some awesome sounds coming from brass instruments but I don't know how to write what I hear properly. I play violin and have very little experience to brass instruments. Any help is greatly appreciated!

French Horn "Elephant" Call

There is a distinct first note and a distinct final note. There are bunch of little notes in between. It's almost like a glissando but it isn't 100% smooth. I normally hear them 'swooping' up in fifths. (I'm sure I sound retarded.) I'm using Finale 2007 and I have no clue how to write it.

Trombone "Blasts"

I'm a huge fan of the Signs soundtrack! The trombones play a low 'F' that crescendoes into a crisp 'brassy' attack. It's loud and aggressive and I don't know if this is a specific technique that I actually have to suggest in the score or if I simply just use a "sfz". My high school band director normally tells our brass section not to "blast". Maybe this is the same thing? How would I write this?

French Horn Muting and Stopping

Is there special terminloogy for these that I need to know? Can I just write 'Muted' or 'Stopped'?

Hmmm I play horn. for the "elephant" call, i think you may mean a "rip", and i believe it's just a straight line between the two notes. =]