I have tried two different methods, both without success. The first was just to
use loadMovieNum and access them via their linkage identification. Didn't work.
The second option was to use a Shared Library. I can't get that to work either
(can't access the symbols), let alone even update after changing the shared
swf.

As of now, I have a main movie that creates global text formats, which are
assigned to fields within it and within loaded movies (via loadMovie).
Unfortunately, the formats don't work within the loaded movies unless that swf
has the same font symbols embedded in it as well. This defeats the purpose -
which is to limit the font file size increase to one movie, instead of every
external movie as well.

If anyone has any ideas, or has done this before, help would be very much
appreciated.

Okay, well I just discovered that Shared Libraries symbols need to be used during author time, which makes them useless in this case.