Usually the "trades" like Variety and Reporter have an article or two
in their special editions published during the large markets like AFM, Cannes,
Mifed, etc.
 
        Lately the articles have discussed the demise of european pre-sales to
finance domestic pictures.  Only packages with high marquee value seem to
have a chance.  So many of the larger european companies were burned and took
a lot of the traditional banks with them.  (ie: Credit Lyonaise is now called,
 "Credit Mayonaise"...since the bank has been spread so thin.)
 
        Of course, a deal with a major removes most all of those pesky
financial problems.  It is well known that Dino DeLaurentis pioneered the
foreign presale, but he was also responsible for having a large part in its
disappearance.
 
                                        J. Thomas