How to get focus shooting / filming yourself with a DSLR

[SenorKaffee]

I switched from a HDV cam to a Canon 550D for shooting video. DSLRs don't have the kind of autofocus camcorders have while in movie mode, which is not much of a problem when I am BEHIND the camera.

But what can I do when I want to be in front of the camera and have no assitant at hand to pull focus while I'm recording? A preview monitor helps with the framing, but I only have a few centimeters of good focus and I can't really think of a way to work with that.

Any ideas?

[Phoenix_Jackson]

If you're stagnant a-spot-at-a-time, you can get any marker (I use another tripod or a coat pole/stand/rack) placed on that spot I'm going to, focus the camera to where my face approximately would be, then go manual focus to lock it. I don't know how it's done though if you move a lot.

A friend of mine bought a portable DVD player and used it as a monitor. He can move back and forth with auto-focus then. I'm not much of a fan though since it's distracting.

[SenorKaffee]

A second tripod or so could do the trick - thanks for the idea!