I get the part about feeling like work. In a way, dating is similar to interviewing in the sense that both parts are looking for a "right fit".

But what you can do to have video chats that doesn't feel like work is to eliminate the "professional settings". I mean, you can have coffee or beer while having the video chat. And the other person can also have someone while chatting. You can pick a more comfortable and informal place on your house to do the videochat. Like the balcony or a nice armchair. Let them see your bookshelves or posters or the things at your home that make it home. You can make jokes, even the inapropiate ones at an interview if there is good rapport. I mean, sexual jokes at interviews are a no-no, at a pseudo-date it could be flirting and work well.

The point is that most people have busy lives and commitments. Videochats or phonecalls are less investment and would help you reduce the number of terrible dates. I mean, if someone is going to rule me out at a phonecall or videochat, they would also rule me out at an actual date AND I would have to get ready, go there and if both of us are polite, endure an uncomfortable time until we both could say our goodbyes without feeling bad. Same the other way, if I can know that someone doesn't work for me at a videochat, then it won't work in person either. Also, if ghosting is going to happen, it is better that it happens at this point.

As I said, video or phone calls makes perfect sense before a first date because you are knowing someone. If you have time and feel like it, you can go straight to the dating part, but there is nothing wrong if someone ask for that. It could simply mean that they have lives and preffer to know a little more about you before meeting in person.