Conflict, stakes, wants & objectives · Core
Want
Also called: conscious desire, Character want
ELI5
The outcome a character consciously desires and pursues.
Used in conversation
“Can we make the want clearer in the next draft?”
Pitch context
You may encounter “Want” in story, structure & screenplay conversations or materials.
Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.
Connected terms
- NeedA want is what a character consciously pursues; a need is the deeper change or truth the story may require.
Sources & evidence · 6
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Film Independent — Episodic Lab Application and Project MaterialsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- pitch.dog — Pitch Dictionary Deep Research SynthesisDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — Story Documents: DramaDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Scriptnotes / John August — Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate WidgetDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment?Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- ScreenSkills — Online Learning Glossary and Job ProfilesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14