Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Conflict, stakes, wants & objectives · Working

Need

Also called: inner need

ELI5

A deeper change or truth a character may require, whether or not they recognise it.

Used in conversation

“The need needs to land without a long explanation.”

Pitch context

Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.

Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.

Connected terms

  • WantA want is what a character consciously pursues; a need is the deeper change or truth the story may require.
  • Character needThe search label “inner need” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.