Spinello emerged in the late 1960s as an innovator in experimental animation, developing a unique technique for merging sound and image without the use of traditional recording equipment. His early work contributed to the evolution of direct animation and is used in classrooms and referenced in academic and historical studies of avant-garde film, including the encyclopedic, Cinema in Flux, Springer Press, 2021, L. Lipton.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he transitioned into documentary filmmaking, producing a number of films that explore social issues, personal narratives, and human resilience. His work has won many first place awards, including four Cine Golden Eagles, and has been featured on platforms such as 60 Minutes (five times) and introduced at major festivals including the Telluride Film Festival.

Later in his career, Spinello returned to experimental animation through digital media, continuing to explore the integration of sound and image.

In addition to filmmaking Spinello wrote the screenplay Adrian and the Toy People, which, in controversy, resulted in changing in how Studios accept and store scripts. Adrian and the Toy People is available for review.