Hi,
1. Right now they are shapes, but I’m fine with whatever works and is easier- lines would be fine too.
2. It can just be center-aligned if that’s easiest. The editors will be happy if all they have to do is move a precomp over a little bit instead of having to touch keyframes, which makes both parties nervous.
Thanks! ☺
A Post it with “EBBERTS” was in there for a while for creating a custom stroke expression, and being a AE hero in general.