diff --git a/scripts/freecam.lua b/scripts/freecam.lua
index 6c46f1d..5bb5cd4 100644
--- a/scripts/freecam.lua
+++ b/scripts/freecam.lua
@@ -153,11 +153,10 @@ local function update_facecam(cam, settings)
         anchor = GameObject('GaC_FaceCamAnchor')
         anchor.transform:SetParent(head, false)
         _G.__FC_FACE_ANCHOR = anchor
-        -- Capture the character's forward direction in the head's local
-        -- space: this respects the model's bone axes and follows head turns.
-        _G.__FC_FACE_LOCAL_FORWARD = CS.UnityEngine.Quaternion.Inverse(head.rotation) * root.forward
     end
-    local direction = head.rotation * _G.__FC_FACE_LOCAL_FORWARD
+    -- The observed game rig uses Head_M's local up axis as its facial
+    -- direction; model-root forward does not follow the animated pose.
+    local direction = head.up
     anchor.transform.position = target + direction * distance
     anchor.transform.rotation = CS.UnityEngine.Quaternion.LookRotation(target - anchor.transform.position, Vector3.up)
     cam.transform.position = anchor.transform.position