Sony Sponsors ‘Visions of U.S.’ Competition

ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” isn’t the only place you can send those camcorder productions you’re so proud of. If you have something considerably more ambitious than a shot of junior accidentally hitting Dad in the groin with a baseball (ever notice how much of the “funny” stuff in that show is based on pain?), then you might like to submit it to the sixth annual “Visions of U.S.” contest.

Sponsored by Sony and administered by the American Film Institute, the competition welcomes entries from people who are able to “communicate their self-expression and personal vision in this new medium.” Tapes are being accepted in four categories--fiction, nonfiction, experimental and music video. A “Young People’s Merit Award” will recognize video makers under the age of 18.

Judging the tapes (more than 600 were received last year) will be film directors Jonathan Demme, Amy Jones and Jerry Kramer, producer Karen Murphy, actors LeVar Burton, Willem Dafoe and Tim Robbins, and Rolling Stone editor Jeffrey Ressner. All entries must be produced and submitted on half-inch VHS or Beta, or 8mm cassettes, and can run no longer than a half-hour.

The grand-prize winner will get a new top-of-the-line Sony Video 8 camcorder. First through third prize in each category is a Sony home-video system. Deadline: June 15.

Information: (213) 856-7743.

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

Since you may only be able to dream about professional baseball this spring, maybe renting “Field of Dreams” (MCA, no suggested retail price, MPAA-rated PG) will help stir your imagination. On the other hand, you might be better off playing computer baseball.

This fantasy concerns a farmer (Kevin Costner) who obeys a mysterious voice, builds a baseball field and winds up with the spirit of banned-from-the-game Shoeless Joe Jackson on his hands (and coming out of the ozone using a different arm than in the 1910s).

The would-be Capra-esque concoction--also starring Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster--hit a home run with most critics and a lot of theater patrons last year. It was also nominated for an Academy Award as best picture of the year. But “Bull Durham,” also starring Costner and available on tape, is an infinitely better and truer film about the national pastime.

Other 1989 movies out this week on video: “Romero” (Vidmark, $89.95, PG-13), “Shocker” (MCA, no suggested retail price, R), “Phantom of the Opera” (horror version; RCA/Columbia, $89.95, R), “Le Petit Amour” (Prism, $79.95, R), “Beverly Hills Brats” (Media, $89.95, PG-13).

Other recent video releases not included in previous columns: “Breaking In” (HBO, $89.99, R), “The Package” (Orion, $89.98, “The Big Picture” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG-13), “Apartment Zero” (Academy, $89.95, R), “Bloodfist” (MGM/UA, $89.95, R), “Far From the Madding Crowd” (MGM/UA, $29.95).