I can't seem to get a note out of my new violin?

I just purchased a Vinci VV 10 Violin last night and I have never touched a violin before in my life. I looked up a tuner and put Rosin on my bow, and tightened it to a level I felt was firm, but not in danger of hurting the horsehair. I had to put the bridge in myself, and I am also wondering if that could be the problem, I let the strings lay where they looked like on the case. I cannot seem to get a steady sound from the violin however. I get a whispering from the string each time I try to cross a string with the bow, if that. Please, help?