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Create A Mini Me

Every year, the people at Neiman Marcus come up with something unusual for their Christmas catalogue and this year is no different. The store is offering the chance to turn your loved one into a highly authentic action figure, a superhero that looks just like them.

So, faster than a speeding bullet, CBS News Correspondent Tracy Smith headed out to a studio in Burbank, Calif., to get a doll made of herself.

If there was a real-life Santa's workshop, then Gentle Giants studios would probably be it: the artists there don't make dolls, they make computer-generated, true-to-life models of real human beings.

"We've worked on 'Star Wars Episode Two,' 'Lord Of The Rings,' 'Planet Of The Apes,' 'Harry Potter' one and two…" says Gentle Giant president Karl Meyer. "'The Matrix,' coming up."

And they do more than movies: if your kid wants an action figure this Christmas, it might have been designed here: wizards, rock stars, monsters, you name it.

For some of the artists, the work gets personal.

Javi sent a copy of himself to his mother. "She thinks it's kind of creepy," he says. Matt has his on the shelf. So it was time for Smith to have one too.

If you don't like taking photos, you're not going to like this: these are reference shots so the artists can match your hair, your clothes, even your shoes.

But the real magic happens inside the digital scanner, a device that creates a virtual model of your body, warts and all.

"What you're going to want to do is get right up on this platform here and strike a pose," Meyer tells Smith.

And once you're happy with your stance, all you do is freeze and let the machine do the rest.

Then, you can actually see yourself being digitally created.

"So this is a great scan. It picked up almost all of your data," notes Meyer.

And to make sure your figure really looks like you--there's another scan for your head.

"Have to admit, it's kind of unsettling when you come face to face with your face," says Smith. "Well, Barbie it isn't. Can you make me bionic?"

"Uh, sure," answers Meyer.

Well, not really, but if you want, the artists at Gentle Giant can make you, shall we say, better.

Fun, but not cheap: If you want your own doll, call Neiman Marcus: 1-877-9NM-GIFT. It'll set you back $7,500, which does not include travel to the Gentle Giant studios.

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