Performance capture systems and techniques are provided for capturing a performance of a subject and reproducing an animated performance that tracks the subject's performance. For example, systems and techniques are provided for determining control values for controlling an animation model to define features of a computer-generated representation of a subject based on the performance. A method may include obtaining input data corresponding to a pose performed by the subject, the input data including position information defining positions on a face of the subject. The method may further include obtaining an animation model for the subject that includes adjustable controls that control the animation model to define facial features of the computer-generated representation of the face, and matching one or more of the positions on the face with one or more corresponding positions on the animation model. The matching includes using an objective function to project an error onto a control space of the animation model. The method may further include determining, using the projected error and one or more constraints on the adjustable controls, one or more values for one or more of the adjustable controls. The values are configured to control the animation model to cause the computer-generated representation to perform a representation of the pose using the one or more adjustable controls.