Carlino's first screenwriting credit was "And Make Thunder His Tribute," Episode 99 of the television series Route 66, which aired on November 1, 1963. That same month, Carlino was hired by Kirk Douglas' film production company, Joel Productions, to write the screenplay for "Seconds", based on the novel by science fiction writer David Ely. The lead in the film was initially written for Douglas but the role was eventually played by Rock Hudson, with Joel Productions co-producing the film with John Frankenheimer Productions, director John Frankenheimer's film production company. This conspiracy thriller gained considerable attention as the final part of a loosely connected paranoia trilogy from the director. The film was submitted in competition at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival and was one of the nominates for the Palme D'Or.