Butz started as production assistant on the 1975 science fiction drama A Boy and His Dog, story by Harlan Ellison. He then worked in the wardrobe department of the thriller Lipstick (1976), the science fiction film Logan's Run (1976, music by Jerry Goldsmith), and the horror film The Amityville Horror (1979). Further projects as costumer include the science fiction film Brainstorm (1983, with Louise Fletcher and music by James Horner), the television series Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983-1984) and The A-Team (1984-1985), and the television drama Double Agent (1987, starring Michael McKean).