Semifinalists in the H.J. Heinz Co.'s second consumer-generated contest include a playwright in Los Angeles, an aspiring filmmaker from Seattle and a country singer who makes his home in Buford, Ga., but says he grew up in Western Pennsylvania.

The judges have chosen a relatively slick collection of 30-second spots to make a run for the $57,000 grand prize.

Eric Michael Hopper, the singer-songwriter whose Web site claims Pennsylvania roots, a few months ago won an online video contest by LG Electronics that promised more than $18,000 worth of appliances and electronics. For Heinz, he sings about the past and future as sepia-toned images cross the screen, ending with the refrain, "The next Heinz generation."

More than one of the 10 semifinalists were entries in the first contest who didn't make it this far before. That includes the submission from Patrick Flynn, whose L.A. production company is called unknown penguin. His piece offers a quirky take on dating service commercials, showing a couple who met in a "ketchup watching" group.

In all, Heinz had 2,500 submissions in the second contest with about 2,000 meeting all the rules, said company spokesman Jessica Jackson.

Voting began yesterday at www.TopThisTV.com. Polls close April 21, just before Pennsylvanians head out to cast their ballots in the presidential primary the next day.