Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the Frequently Asked Questions. Please feel free to ask any questions you may still have after reading the community profile and this page.
Characters and Shows:
What if my character only appeared in one episode of a season?
You would make three icons of that episode and combine them with another season's post. For example: Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer only appeared in one episode of Season Five. You would make three icons of that episode and then include those icons in your season Four or season Seven post. Just make sure that you state in your post that the seasons are combined.
My character crossed over to another show. Do I have to make icons from both shows? May I do one or the other?
No, you don't have to make icons from both shows. You may choose which show you would like to icon for your character. For example: Faith was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. When you claim her as a character, you would state in your application which show you're claiming her from.
Do I have to icon all the seasons that my character is in?
No, You are not required to include all the seasons that apply to your claim. Just make sure to specify which seasons you are claiming.
The tv show featuring my character is in mid-season. Do I have to icon the season that's still airing?
No. You are not required to include the current season of a show that's still airing.
The character that I want to icon is on a brand new show. Can I claim characters from new shows even if only a few episodes have aired?
You may claim any character from a series that has had at least nine episodes. Shows with less than nine episodes will not be accepted for claims.
The character that I want to icon is from a show that exists online only, it never aired on television. Is that allowed?
Characters from online-only shows are welcome here. You would still make three icons per episode and label each season appropriately.
The character that I want to icon made a cameo appearance on a tv show. Are these characters available for claiming as well?
No. Only major characters or regular guest stars may be claimed. Any character who has appeared in less than nine episodes of a series will generally not be accepted.
In terms of characters, can I claim pairings or ships? What if I want to icon a show without focusing on a particular character?
This is a character challenge only. You may make shippy icons of your character but please limit them to less than ten percent of your total icons. To claim a ship or pairing, you can join itvship. If you would like to make icons for a show without focusing on one particular character, you can join itvshow.
Claims:
I really want to claim a particular character but the subject is taken. What can I do?
This community offers a Waiting List where you can sign up to be next in line for a currently claimed character. You will be notified when your character is available.
Can I apply for more than one claim at a time?
Yes. You may claim up to three characters at one time, but remember that you will have the same amount of time to complete two or three claims as you would have for one. Same two weeks to post a first batch and the same four months to complete all the icons.
I can't finish my claim -- what do I do?
If you would like an extension on your claim, comment at the Claim Extensions post here. If you want to drop your claim, comment at the Claim Cancellations post here.
I've gone over my 4 month period without finishing my icons. What happens now?
If your deadline has passed before you've finished your claim, you'll be notified via e-mail or a comment to your journal. You'll be given a week to respond. If you haven't requested an extension, or linked to your finished claim within that week, your claim will be given to someone else.
Icons And Posting:
Do I have to tag my entries when I post? What else should I include in my post?
Tagging your posts is required. More on tag guidelines here. Also, please include the name of the character and the name of the television show you are iconing in the subject.
Can I make more than the 3 required icons of my character per episode?
Of course. While the challenge is to make 3 icons of your character from every episode, you are fully invited to make more than that.
How are my icons supposed to be posted? Do I have to post them here in the community?
You must post your icons in order by season and label them by episode within your posts. Each post must have at least six icons, and you may post no more than four preview icons outside the cut. Tables are welcomed, though no specific table is required. You can post your icons to your own journal as long as you clearly label any fake cuts.
Do I have to post each season separately? Can I post all my icons in one post?
There is no cap on how many icons you can have in your completed posts. If you prefer to post all your icons at once, you are free to do so.
My journal/icon community is Friends Only/Members Only. Can I post a link to the join/friending page of my community/journal?
No. If your community/journal is Members Only/Friends Only you must leave the entry public for a minimum of four days. Please also include somewhere in your post the amount of days the entry will be public.
Can I post icons I've made in the past? What if I've reclaimed a character I couldn't finish the first time?
You must make new icons for this challenge. However, an exception will be made if you're picking a claim back up that you began in the past. This includes icons that were made for the community i_character.
Can I make animated/textless icons?
Yes, we accept all icons that fit LJ standards. This is not a stills/text only community.
Along with screen caps, may I use episode stills for my character claim?
Yes. All images in which your character is in character are acceptable.
Misc:
I've finished making the icons for my claim. What should I do next?
Comment to the Gallery with your subject and the username you applied for your claim with. You will receive a banner and you will be added to the list.
My post was deleted. What happened?
Your posts will only be deleted if you don't follow the rules of the community. We will never delete a post without a warning first.
Are you interested in affiliating with my journal/community?
Yes, we are always open to new affiliates. You can comment at our Affiliates Post here.
Any other questions or concerns? Comment to this post and a mod will get back to you as soon as possible.
Characters and Shows:
What if my character only appeared in one episode of a season?
You would make three icons of that episode and combine them with another season's post. For example: Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer only appeared in one episode of Season Five. You would make three icons of that episode and then include those icons in your season Four or season Seven post. Just make sure that you state in your post that the seasons are combined.
My character crossed over to another show. Do I have to make icons from both shows? May I do one or the other?
No, you don't have to make icons from both shows. You may choose which show you would like to icon for your character. For example: Faith was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. When you claim her as a character, you would state in your application which show you're claiming her from.
Do I have to icon all the seasons that my character is in?
No, You are not required to include all the seasons that apply to your claim. Just make sure to specify which seasons you are claiming.
The tv show featuring my character is in mid-season. Do I have to icon the season that's still airing?
No. You are not required to include the current season of a show that's still airing.
The character that I want to icon is on a brand new show. Can I claim characters from new shows even if only a few episodes have aired?
You may claim any character from a series that has had at least nine episodes. Shows with less than nine episodes will not be accepted for claims.
The character that I want to icon is from a show that exists online only, it never aired on television. Is that allowed?
Characters from online-only shows are welcome here. You would still make three icons per episode and label each season appropriately.
The character that I want to icon made a cameo appearance on a tv show. Are these characters available for claiming as well?
No. Only major characters or regular guest stars may be claimed. Any character who has appeared in less than nine episodes of a series will generally not be accepted.
In terms of characters, can I claim pairings or ships? What if I want to icon a show without focusing on a particular character?
This is a character challenge only. You may make shippy icons of your character but please limit them to less than ten percent of your total icons. To claim a ship or pairing, you can join itvship. If you would like to make icons for a show without focusing on one particular character, you can join itvshow.
Claims:
I really want to claim a particular character but the subject is taken. What can I do?
This community offers a Waiting List where you can sign up to be next in line for a currently claimed character. You will be notified when your character is available.
Can I apply for more than one claim at a time?
Yes. You may claim up to three characters at one time, but remember that you will have the same amount of time to complete two or three claims as you would have for one. Same two weeks to post a first batch and the same four months to complete all the icons.
I can't finish my claim -- what do I do?
If you would like an extension on your claim, comment at the Claim Extensions post here. If you want to drop your claim, comment at the Claim Cancellations post here.
I've gone over my 4 month period without finishing my icons. What happens now?
If your deadline has passed before you've finished your claim, you'll be notified via e-mail or a comment to your journal. You'll be given a week to respond. If you haven't requested an extension, or linked to your finished claim within that week, your claim will be given to someone else.
Icons And Posting:
Do I have to tag my entries when I post? What else should I include in my post?
Tagging your posts is required. More on tag guidelines here. Also, please include the name of the character and the name of the television show you are iconing in the subject.
Can I make more than the 3 required icons of my character per episode?
Of course. While the challenge is to make 3 icons of your character from every episode, you are fully invited to make more than that.
How are my icons supposed to be posted? Do I have to post them here in the community?
You must post your icons in order by season and label them by episode within your posts. Each post must have at least six icons, and you may post no more than four preview icons outside the cut. Tables are welcomed, though no specific table is required. You can post your icons to your own journal as long as you clearly label any fake cuts.
Do I have to post each season separately? Can I post all my icons in one post?
There is no cap on how many icons you can have in your completed posts. If you prefer to post all your icons at once, you are free to do so.
My journal/icon community is Friends Only/Members Only. Can I post a link to the join/friending page of my community/journal?
No. If your community/journal is Members Only/Friends Only you must leave the entry public for a minimum of four days. Please also include somewhere in your post the amount of days the entry will be public.
Can I post icons I've made in the past? What if I've reclaimed a character I couldn't finish the first time?
You must make new icons for this challenge. However, an exception will be made if you're picking a claim back up that you began in the past. This includes icons that were made for the community i_character.
Can I make animated/textless icons?
Yes, we accept all icons that fit LJ standards. This is not a stills/text only community.
Along with screen caps, may I use episode stills for my character claim?
Yes. All images in which your character is in character are acceptable.
Misc:
I've finished making the icons for my claim. What should I do next?
Comment to the Gallery with your subject and the username you applied for your claim with. You will receive a banner and you will be added to the list.
My post was deleted. What happened?
Your posts will only be deleted if you don't follow the rules of the community. We will never delete a post without a warning first.
Are you interested in affiliating with my journal/community?
Yes, we are always open to new affiliates. You can comment at our Affiliates Post here.
Any other questions or concerns? Comment to this post and a mod will get back to you as soon as possible.