Is there a way to simulate a slow creeping zoom effect to a short moving clip, as opposed to a still picture?

It's pretty easy. Just set keyframes at the beginning and end of your clip that contain the zoom and position of your clip. Remember that the more you zoom in, the lower the resolution. You can add a sharpen filter to enhance the image as you zoom in. The effect can also be keyframed to increase the sharpness as you zoom into the image.

Rick Foxx
Photographic Memories

Thanks Rick
I thought it would be simple, but I'm no A.E. expert