Felicia Greenfield Of Right Pit Productions: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker
Get out of there! Nothing great ever happens inside the safe zone. Every time I’ve stepped out of mine — whether it was getting in front of the camera or bringing home another foster dog — it led to something awesome. Due to another set of opportunistic circumstances, I started doing basic stunt work a few years ago and it’s led to some of the most fun times I’ve ever had on set.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Felicia Greenfield.
Felicia Greenfield is a self-proclaimed ‘actorvist’ who stumbled into acting after a decade in professional sports. She’s appeared in episodics, indie films, and countless commercials. In November 2024, she completed her first production, Friends Not Food, a sitcom pilot with a side of earth-saving substance.
Beyond the screen, Felicia and her two teenage daughters dedicate their time to making a difference for kids and animals through their family charity, Grandpa Dave’s Creature Comforts. The organization primarily supports NYC’s homeless companion animals and works on education initiatives in rural Honduras. Most recently, they raised funds to build La Escuela de Gracia with the Foundation for Education in Honduras, and in addition to benefiting an entire community, the school was dedicated to the memory of longtime Hollywood publicist Ronnee Sass — Felicia’s aunt and lifelong role model. Felicia also volunteers as a certified Krav Maga instructor and finds her groove behind her drum kit.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
Sure, because becoming an actor wasn’t ever the plan — let alone sitcom producer!
A baseball fanatic, I landed a marketing job at my dream company — Major League Baseball — right out of college, and six years later, I slid over to the NHL. Acting came out of left field when I brought my toddler to an audition for a sitcom pilot, Z Rock, and was asked if I’d play her mom in a birthday party scene. I took that ball and ran with it — enrolling at Atlantic Acting School, training in voiceover, doing background work, and accepting just about any legitimate on-camera job to build a respectable resume and reel.
Producing, though, was a plot twist I never saw coming.
With plenty of time between auditions, I started saying yes to charity work. Child and animal welfare had recently taken on significant meaning — likely because as a new guardian to both, I saw firsthand just how dependent they were.
Five years ago, I joined the board of Little Bear Sanctuary after meeting one of the founders, Chris Vane, through another charitable endeavor. During COVID, I had the chance to get to know some of the sanctuary’s 200+ rescued farm animals, and it was like making friends with a cast of characters — each had their own quirks, cliques, and, in some cases, a knack for comedy. I’m still not sure who taught who, but playing Hide & Zeke with Zeke the donkey was ridiculous fun.
What floored me wasn’t just how intelligent and hilarious my new pals were, but hearing their backstories from Chris. Learning where they came from and the unimaginable suffering they endured before rescue was staggering — each had a history that would read like a horror story.
Having been vegan about five years by then, I knew the facts. I knew the crucial reasons why everyone should work toward plant-based living, and I was certain that if more people knew what I knew, they would make an effort to lessen needless suffering.
But I also knew that hating on vegans had basically become a national pastime, and that most people who should watch documentaries like Earthlings, Dominion, or Cowspiracy never would. But… what if there was another way to get the message across? What if they could meet my new friends — see that pigs aren’t products, that they have particular personalities, that they snuggle when they sleep… that they’re downright hilarious? People love to laugh! And these days, people really need reasons to laugh.
And just like that, a fairly amusing treatment started flowing from my fingers. Then, things just started falling into place.
I shared the treatment with a trusted industry pro I knew would give it to me straight — Casting Director Adrienne Stern — who simply told me to go for it. Around the same time, I met Peter Stray, a brilliant writer with the exact style of humor I had envisioned for the project. Peter took the treatment, interviewed Chris, did his research, and delivered an incredible first draft. Adrienne was instrumental in helping us find genius comedic talent local to Southwest Florida, and a few months later, we were off to film the exteriors at Little Bear Sanctuary!
But I still don’t really know what I’m doing.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
This is hardly a universal lesson, but it’s a fun one:
I had one ethical concern about this production, because I don’t believe in using animals for any purpose. Vegans are adamantly opposed to commodifying sentient beings — not for food, not for entertainment. Since the sanctuary residents couldn’t exactly consent to being cast members, I decided we wouldn’t make them do anything. They would go about their usual day while we filmed around them, hoping for some spontaneous moments of improv.
We had two animals loosely written into the storyline, including Zeke the donkey. He was meant to be our silent guru — Hieronymous — a wise figure the human characters could confide in about their issues and idiosyncrasies. Think of it like a reality show confessional, but instead of talking to the camera, they’d spill their hearts to Zeke. One scene called for the resident dog, Koa (who plays Bagel), to sit beside or near Zeke, for a sweet little two shot.
The night before filming, we learned a crucial detail: Zeke doesn’t like Koa.
Enter Orion, the goat. Orion had been observing the entire shoot like he was part of the crew — all while exuding an undeniable mystique. In a last-minute pivot, Hieronymous the Donkey became Hieronymous the Goat, and frankly, it couldn’t have worked out better. We were able to effortlessly improv with Orion, and he even seemed to grasp the concept of blocking and playing towards camera.
I guess the lesson here is… sometimes the goat is the G.O.A.T.?
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Having Cooper Barnes in Friends Not Food still feels a bit surreal.
I first discovered this Nickelodeon superhero a decade ago when my family was hooked on Henry Danger. While working on an animal welfare initiative in 2016 promoting #AdoptDontShop for companion animals, I found out that Cooper had rescued his cat, Fonzie, from a high-kill shelter in L.A. I was probably more excited than my kids when he agreed to share his rescue story and pose with Fonzie for our RescueMen USA calendar.
In the years since, I’ve been consistently impressed by how Cooper uses his platform for good. He seems to embrace important opportunities to advocate and educate.
When Friends Not Food needed someone who could bring humor to a cameo and heart to our production, he was my first choice. Actually, even before the character existed, I was hoping Cooper would be involved. And then he didn’t just say yes to playing Devon — the eccentric man-child who lost a card game and had to take ownership of the faltering sanctuary — Cooper understood the reason behind the project. His character may only appear in two scenes, but his impact resonates beyond that. In my totally unbiased opinion, he’s the star of the show. Well, after Orion.
One of my favorite moments in the entire 29:58 pilot is a PSA delivered by Cooper — as himself — during the credits. He shares a bit about Orion’s real-life story, including the physical misery he endured before being rescued by Little Bear Sanctuary. Partly the sincerity in Cooper’s delivery, partly the shocking reality of Orion’s past, this moment is one of the ways we’ve woven truth into the show — making it so much more than just a wacky vehicle for laughs.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Upstanders, not bystanders.
I was raised to avoid rocking the boat — I was taught “to get along, you’ve got to go along.” But that never sat right with me. I admire those who challenge the status quo and stand up for what’s right when it would be so much easier to just sit quietly.
One quote that reshaped my perspective is from Elie Wiesel:
“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.”
Then I began to realize that others, from different walks of life and across history, carried the same message — Desmond Tutu said:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
I know that over 80 billion land animals are needlessly killed annually in factory farms. I know we’ve all been sold the outrageous lie that not eating animals is unhealthy, or odd. If I’m not speaking out for veganism — to save our planet, billions of animals, and our health — then I’m complicit in their destruction.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
I’m so glad you asked!
Friends Not Food is an earth-saving, joy-sparking farcical comedy that quietly nudges viewers toward a more compassionate world. In a time when veganism is often reduced to a punchline, I wanted to flip the script — using that joke as a tool for change.
My goals are simple: to crack you up, tug at your heartstrings, and help folks see who is on their plates — that these precious piggies with big personalities shouldn’t lose their lives for a few fleeting moments of “mmm, bacon” pleasure.
Instead of overwhelming people with the grim realities of factory farming — how over 10 billion land animals suffer annually in the U.S. or how our current agricultural system is literally destroying the planet — I’m inviting viewers into a world of endearingly unconventional characters, both human and animal, that they can get to know, enjoy, and learn about.
Imagine if Elmore Leonard wrote an episode of Parks & Rec, and the Schitt’s Creek crew crashed the set with a herd of endangered zebus. That’s Friends Not Food.
Partnering with organizations like Vegan Outreach and Their Turn, we’re amplifying this message of compassionate living. Even the show’s soundtrack features vegan artists like Gaia’s Eye and The Repressions, who weave activism into their music.
As a board member of Little Bear Sanctuary in Florida, I’ve seen how these innocent souls change hearts and minds. That’s why I’m committed to bringing this vision to life — not just as a pilot, but as a full series with the potential to become an earth-saving, global comedic phenomenon.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
There wasn’t a single defining moment — just time spent with the sanctuary residents and a conversation about veganism being the ultimate inconvenient truth that got me thinking: There has to be a compelling way to get this monumental message across.
That’s when I started pondering the power of comedy. Laughter does what documentaries and lectures often can’t — it sneaks in without knocking. It can make tough topics approachable, lighten the heavy stuff, engage those who’d usually avoid serious discussions. Laughter isn’t just the best medicine; it can be the best way to start a conversation. And we need everyone in on this conversation.
And then Friends Not Food just… happened. The right people, opportunities, and encouragement showed up at the right times, and I simply kept saying “yes” and moving forward.
Much like my journey into acting, everything fell into place when I stayed open, took it step by step, and trusted the process. I firmly believe in the law of attraction — the power of positivity and alignment. When you stay open, grateful, and willing to help, the right opportunities can find you.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Cutting out, or back on, animal products is one of the most powerful things a person can do for their health, to save the planet, and obviously to save innocent, sentient lives.
Here are just a few of the countless benefits:
- Americans who eat beef could slash their diet’s carbon footprint by as much as 48% by swapping just one serving per day for a more planet-friendly alternative. (Source: Tulane Uni)
- Adopting a plant-based diet for just one day can save 1,100 gallons of water — enough for two weeks of showers. (Source: Water Footprint Network) and would spare 45 lbs of grain, which could feed people instead of livestock.
(Source: FAO) - One month of vegan eating saves 30 sq. ft. of forest.
(Source: World Resources Institute) - A vegan diet saves 200 animals per year, or 0.5 animals daily.
(Source: Animal Charity Evaluators)
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
Only five?!
- Don’t be concerned with perfection, or how everyone else does it. Just do it.
You’re probably never going to feel completely ready, so just jump in anyway. Waiting for the moment everything is lined up in just the right way could mean missing out on chances to screw up and learn. When a friend and I wanted to get people to stop buying animals from stores and breeders (because over one million shelter animals are annually euthanized in the US) we didn’t really have a plan. We started looking at our friends who had adopted and fostered — and then started casting via our social networks, then scheduled some photo shoots, and through what we learned in those processes — we figured out what we were going to do — RescueMen USA!. After four fun, fabulous years promoting #AdoptDontShop — in which we got no significant traction or media attention — we sadly agreed to end our campaign — which is a perfect segue to… - Quitting isn’t failing.
I started in marketing, tripped into acting, and somehow landed in producing. If I’d held onto just one dream, I would’ve missed out on some of my best experiences. Walking away from something that no longer fits doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re making space for better things. - Many people are just figuring it out as they go.
I remind myself of this all the time because it’s hard to believe. Whether it’s seasoned actors or producers, I don’t think anyone really has it all together. I think the trick is acting! Act like you know what you’re doing, dress the part you want to play, and keep on moving forward as if you know exactly where you’re going. - What other people think of you is none of your business.
This one’s also tough — especially in an industry where everyone’s got an opinion and there is an unhealthy amount of rejection. But stressing over what people think is exhausting and pretty much useless. I believe the only opinions that really matter are yours and those of whom you trust. - Your comfort zone is a creativity killer.
Get out of there! Nothing great ever happens inside the safe zone. Every time I’ve stepped out of mine — whether it was getting in front of the camera or bringing home another foster dog — it led to something awesome. Due to another set of opportunistic circumstances, I started doing basic stunt work a few years ago and it’s led to some of the most fun times I’ve ever had on set.
If you could tell young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
I believe most young people already know it. My family went vegan because my 7-year-old did. I had been a hypocritical animal activist for years — swearing I could never give up cheese! And where would we get our protein?! But kids see the world through a lens of fairness and compassion that adults often lose along the way. We aren’t born wanting to tear into a chicken — kids I know would rather hug a chicken. They instinctively know that if something isn’t right — whether it’s harming animals, the planet, or people — it’s worth changing.
So, I’d tell young people: trust that instinct. You don’t need permission to do what’s right. Whether it’s choosing what you eat, how you live, who you love, or what causes you stand behind, your actions matter. The world needs your voice, your energy, and your fresh, not-yet — biased perspective. Be skeptical, question everything, and be an upstander, not a bystander!
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I’d do just about anything to work with Ricky Gervais. I see him around our NYC neighborhood sometimes, and he and Jane always take a moment to pet my dogs. The best acting I’ve ever done is pretending to stay cool and collected in the midst of Mr. Gervais. Besides being brilliantly clever and talented, he’s someone who actually uses his platform for good — he speaks up for animal welfare because, as he says, animals don’t have a voice, but he sure does.
That said, I’d love to collaborate with any vegans, activists, filmmakers, or influencers who want to get involved with Friends Not Food. I’m not in this for personal glory — I want to kickstart an inconvenient change on a global scale. And I truly believe that with the right team, our collective impact can be exponential.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Instead of saying “I have to…” remind yourself, “I get to…”
I don’t always want to walk my dogs in the cold, I rarely feel like making dinner, and I’m getting a bit tired of the whole self-tape process. But when I shift my mindset and remind myself that I get to take the best dogs in the entire world — who love me unconditionally — for a walk in NYC, or that I get to cook whatever I want in a well-stocked kitchen and feed my family, and ohmygosh I got an audition and I get to play on camera — it changes everything. What were chores, feel more like the privileges they actually are.
How can our readers follow you online?
For regular updates — we’re all about Instagram.
@FriendsNotFoodthefilm
@FeliciaG.NYC
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Thank YOU for the opportunity. And remember — in a world of pork rinds, be a kale chip.
Felicia Greenfield Of Right Pit Productions: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.