What is the easiest way to make a site like this?

[Prez]

Hello,

I would like to start a website where actors and other film industry workers can sign up for a membership and publish their profiles with pictures, etc.

On the first page I would like to have articles relevant to the film industry.
Membership and payments should be automatized as much as possible.

Here a sample site

The Casting Workbook :: The service that gets artists working...

Mine would not be a casting book, but a source of information for the film industry, where actors, stunt-men, workers, etc could place their profiles, companies catering to the film industry could advertise, maybe writers could pitch their scripts, etc.

I understand we can't place requests anymore. I looked through the available templates, but even if I found one that suits me, I would need to make the sign-up, payments, etc. work.

All I know is how to make basic websites using Dreamweaver.

My question is, what is the best way to go about it?

1. Should I start with something simple first, like a simplified Craigslist with no bells and whistles for people to sign up and place ads?

2. If I buy a website, how much would be the going rate for something like the sample?

3. Are there any ready-made sites where all you have to do is to buy it and upload it? If so, where?

4. Could I put the site together using templates from here? Remember, my problem is to make it fully functional using php, javascript, etc.

I appreciate any help.

Prez

[bmcoll3278]

To have an automated payment system and every thing you want you will most likely need to hire a coder to do it right..

It would be lots of work in any case. a very big project.

[Prez]

Thanks for your input.

Any suggestions on how much is the fair price would be for a site like this?

Or is there a simpler solution? It does not have to be too complex in the beginning. I need a lot less features than this sample.

Any other solutions for credit card payments? My concern is that it should look fairly professional without costing an arm and a leg.

Could somebody suggest turnkey websites I could use, etc.?

Thanks,

Prez

[Mimoun]

The best way to go about it?
First know what you really want to build, reading your description I can't really figure out what you want to build.

Do you want to build:
- a social network?
- classified ads?
- virtual learning environment?
- a forum like this one?

Here is a list of some scripts you can use to do some or all of these things:
Moodle community-based tools for learning free
SMF forum software free
Joomla! free
Mahara free
BuddyPress.org free
Ning free and commercial version
vBulletin commercial
Membership software - aMember Pro commercial

[Prez]

Thanks for the links Mimoun. Sorry if I wasn't quite clear.

What I want is a place where film people can sign up for membership (artists, crew, stunt men, etc.) and can post their profile (picures, work history, etc.) for a monthly fee.
Also, I would like to have advertising for stuff film people need, like props, space rental, etc.

On the first page maybe some news articles about movies, etc.

No forum.

People should be able to sign up and pay online. That should be automated, if possible.

I have found this website that is similar to what I want:

The Casting Workbook :: The service that gets artists working...

As it has been suggested, this might be a bit too complicated for me to handle..... In that case I will start a simpler version.

As I said I am not very good at making websites and I would appreciate every help I can get.

Prez