Large multi-topic mod post, please read!
Let me get the serious business stuff out of the way first:
From now on, we are not going to allow any tabloid/gossip articles about the cast or crew's private lives, and we are not allowing any paparazzi photos that could be seen as creepy or an invasion of privacy.
This does not mean all paparazzi photos. Some, like pictures of the cast and crew at publicity events or outside of BBC are fine, as are photos taken in public places where it is obvious the subject knew the photo was being taken and was okay with it (for instance, there are some fan-taken pictures of Matt from Coachella floating around where he was obviously looking at the camera and posing for the photographer).
Similarly, articles that mention someone's personal life in a passing few sentences along with real content or interviews actually with the person where he or she is discussing his or her personal life are fine. What is not fine are gossipy, sordid, and speculative articles and pictures that look like the photographer took them from the bushes where they were hiding 50 feet away.
We're sorry if some of you like that stuff, but there are other places you can go for that. If you want that kind of "journalism" then it's easily available on the internet in places like ONTD or TMZ or whatever else is out there.
Frankly, the other mods and I think that none of this is our business and would rather keep this place safe and respectful of the S5 team's private lives, especially after how nice Matt was to respond to us and tell us how much he loved the scrapbook we sent him. The least we can do for him is not add to the gossip loop.
Thank you for understanding.
Now down to the fun and silliness (AKA business as usual):
1) We're trying to start a secrets comm: mattcavesecrets.
It's sort of like fandomsecrets but more like the way that some comms like brb_gallifrey have secrets, in that we intend to use them not only for the typical secrets like "I don't like this character who everyone else does." or "I whip my sonic screwdriver out to open elevators." but more as sort of semi-regular Valentines to each other. In this "secrets" comm, you can anonymously (or not-so-anonymously) address your fellow members and express appreciation for each other. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can check out brb_g's secrets comm, secretsoftime, and see what the secrets there are like.
You don't have to take part in this, of course, that's why I made a separate comm for the secrets instead of spamming you every week with the secrets post and submission post, but we hope that if you like this comm and your fellow members, you'll get involved. I had many doubts about trying this out and wondered if our secret posts could ever be as fun and active as brb_g's, but some members encouraged me to try it and see if it works, so I hope it does.
2) I am LOVING all the fish custard videos. So much that I want you guys to post more. How am I going to encourage this, you ask? By giving away a prize!
From now until May 11th, if you post a fish custard reaction video or pictures, I will add your name to a list and on the 11th, I will randomly choose one person from that list to receive either two months paid LJ time or extra userpics, depending on the winner's account level and preferred gift.
And yes, early birds, I am adding you to the list as well. If you've already posted fish custard, you are already in the contest and very well may win if luck shines on you.
What do you have to do to enter? Just post a video or pictures of yourself eating fish fingers and custard and your reaction to it, tag the post with "fish custard," and you'll be on the list! And please don't cheat and use sweets or something like Matt did, I know you're all more hardcore than that and can handle fish custard. ;)
Questions/comments/concerns can be left for me in the comments below as usual.
From now on, we are not going to allow any tabloid/gossip articles about the cast or crew's private lives, and we are not allowing any paparazzi photos that could be seen as creepy or an invasion of privacy.
This does not mean all paparazzi photos. Some, like pictures of the cast and crew at publicity events or outside of BBC are fine, as are photos taken in public places where it is obvious the subject knew the photo was being taken and was okay with it (for instance, there are some fan-taken pictures of Matt from Coachella floating around where he was obviously looking at the camera and posing for the photographer).
Similarly, articles that mention someone's personal life in a passing few sentences along with real content or interviews actually with the person where he or she is discussing his or her personal life are fine. What is not fine are gossipy, sordid, and speculative articles and pictures that look like the photographer took them from the bushes where they were hiding 50 feet away.
We're sorry if some of you like that stuff, but there are other places you can go for that. If you want that kind of "journalism" then it's easily available on the internet in places like ONTD or TMZ or whatever else is out there.
Frankly, the other mods and I think that none of this is our business and would rather keep this place safe and respectful of the S5 team's private lives, especially after how nice Matt was to respond to us and tell us how much he loved the scrapbook we sent him. The least we can do for him is not add to the gossip loop.
Thank you for understanding.
Now down to the fun and silliness (AKA business as usual):
1) We're trying to start a secrets comm: mattcavesecrets.
It's sort of like fandomsecrets but more like the way that some comms like brb_gallifrey have secrets, in that we intend to use them not only for the typical secrets like "I don't like this character who everyone else does." or "I whip my sonic screwdriver out to open elevators." but more as sort of semi-regular Valentines to each other. In this "secrets" comm, you can anonymously (or not-so-anonymously) address your fellow members and express appreciation for each other. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can check out brb_g's secrets comm, secretsoftime, and see what the secrets there are like.
You don't have to take part in this, of course, that's why I made a separate comm for the secrets instead of spamming you every week with the secrets post and submission post, but we hope that if you like this comm and your fellow members, you'll get involved. I had many doubts about trying this out and wondered if our secret posts could ever be as fun and active as brb_g's, but some members encouraged me to try it and see if it works, so I hope it does.
2) I am LOVING all the fish custard videos. So much that I want you guys to post more. How am I going to encourage this, you ask? By giving away a prize!
From now until May 11th, if you post a fish custard reaction video or pictures, I will add your name to a list and on the 11th, I will randomly choose one person from that list to receive either two months paid LJ time or extra userpics, depending on the winner's account level and preferred gift.
And yes, early birds, I am adding you to the list as well. If you've already posted fish custard, you are already in the contest and very well may win if luck shines on you.
What do you have to do to enter? Just post a video or pictures of yourself eating fish fingers and custard and your reaction to it, tag the post with "fish custard," and you'll be on the list! And please don't cheat and use sweets or something like Matt did, I know you're all more hardcore than that and can handle fish custard. ;)
Questions/comments/concerns can be left for me in the comments below as usual.